The Portland daily press., 1887-11-16
peaks, leland

The season just closed has been the most
successful one which has ever occurred at
Peaks Island, and is an earnest of what
may be in the near future, if the proper eff
forts be put forth. Nature has dealt very
kindly with this island. not only in its situa-
ton, but in its diversity of hill and dale; in
its bold, rocky shores and fine, sandy beaches;
in its beautiful groves and fine, grassy clear
ings; but in innumerable other ways, till
now all that is wanted is capital and enter
prise to develop its beauties, to make it the
equal of any and the rival of the most of the
much-praised watering places with which
the coast of Maine abounds. Much has been
done the past season, but great deal re-
mains to be done to make this place as at
tractive as it should be and as il can easily
be made to be. First, the city authorities
should cause survey of the island to be
made so some detailed plan of operation can
be decided upon and carried out. Roads
should be located in proper places, even if
not built at present Sewers should be pro-
jected, and then lots could be sold and cot
tages built in accordance with the afore men,
TONED plans, and all that is done should be
done with one object in view, viz, to beauti-
fly and improve All this the city can well
afford to do, in view of the constantly in
creasing amount of taxes which it receives
from this island, Then, the citizens, them
selves, should wake up and see to it that
those unsightly objects at and near the land
ings are removed, that the strangers who
come to the island for the first time may get
favorable impression, which goes a long
way in determining whether he will stop
there or go to some other and more inviting
place. All these things and many more
should be attended to at once, in order that
Peaks Island may take its proper place
among Names famous watering places. As
might be expected, land is advancing in
| price, and many choice lots have already
been bought and occupied; yet there are
plenty more that can be purchased at fair
price, as speculation has not yet placed its
blighting foot on this place. On the front
the land is largely improved, but on the back
in and about bloodhound Park" there are
acres on acres for sale to any one who NAV
want to bpild in this secluded spot. where
nature has run wild in all its picturesque
ness.
As this place becomes better known. bet
ter class, of cottages are being built, and this
VIII no doubt go on until houses fit for cold
weather will be no uncommon thing. In
fact, the number who stay all winter is large
ly increasing each year, and well it may,
with the increased facilities for going and
coming in the winter season. And this
brings me to speak of the Forest City Steam
boat Company, the only company which run
boats to the Islands in winter. The accom-
modations furnished hitherto have not been
of a very high order, but as good, perhaps,
as the amount of travel would warrant
Last summer this company had built in New
York large, fast and commodious boat es-
pecially adapted to run on this route, both
winter and summer. The boat is so con-
structed as to be light and airy in summer,
and can be closed in so as to be snug and
warm in winter This company merits the
consideration and patronage of the island
travel, because it is ever ready to do ali it
can to accommodate and oblige its patrons